Agenda and draft minutes

To consider apologies and reasons for absence.

Committee members who are unable to attend the meeting should notify the Committee Clerk derek.mackenzie@witney-tc.gov.uk prior to the meeting, stating the reason for absence.

Standing Order 8(e)(v) permits the appointment of substitute Councillors to a Committee whose role is to replace ordinary Councillors at a meeting of a Committee if ordinary Councillors of the Committee have confirmed to the Proper Officer before the meeting that they are unable to attend.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors O Collins, A Mubin and D Temple.

Members are reminded to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests in any of the items under consideration at this meeting in accordance with the Town Council’s code of conduct.

There were no declarations of interest from Members or Officers.

The meeting will adjourn for this item.

Members of the public may speak for a maximum of five minutes each during the period of public participation, in line with Standing Order 25.  Matters raised shall relate to the following items on the agenda.

The Committee adjourned for this item.

The committee received representation from a member of the public concerning agenda items 4 and 5.

The Committee reconvened.

To receive and consider the report of the RFO along with the draft revised budget for 2025/26 and the estimates for 2026/27.

The Council received and considered the report of the Responsible Financial Officer (R.F.O).

The RFO advised that the final budget options presented in the report were the result of several months of work, in line with Committee direction and statutory and best practice requirements. He also responded to a member’s pre-submitted question regarding salary calculations.

The final budget report outlined revised revenue budgets for 2025/26 and estimates for 2026/27, with detailed information on income and expenditure, general reserves, and rolling capital and special revenue projects. Members were provided with comprehensive financial forecasts and a range of funding options for the year ahead. Also included were scenarios relating to the Council’s loan for the West Witney projects and consideration of opting to tax at Burwell Hall.

Members unanimously thanked the RFO for the preparation of the budget and the comprehensive nature of the report. It was acknowledged that inflationary pressures had impacted the budget and that the Policy, Governance & Finance Committee had made significant reductions to Committee requests submitted in November. Some Members expressed a preference not to defer expenditure that may become more costly in future and favoured either option 2 or option 4 within the report.

Cllr R Smith proposed the substantive motion of a 4.91% increase in the Council Tax, which was seconded by Cllr G Meadows. The Chair advised that all proposals and amendments would be considered following full debate.

Cllr J Doughty proposed an amendment for a 4.2% increase, seconded by Cllr G Doughty.

Other Members raised concerns about the impact of a Council Tax increase on residents. It was suggested that, in the absence of a costed decarbonisation plan, funding for this project should be removed. Members noted that this, together with a reduced loan requirement and other adjustments, including increasing prices at the 1863 café bar, could result in an alternative option of a 2% increase. It was also noted that verifying the costs of an alternative proposal during the meeting would be difficult.

Cllr D Edward-Hughes proposed a further amendment for a 2% increase, seconded by Cllr T Ashby.

Following the completion of the debate, a recorded vote was agreed, with amendments taken first and the original proposal treated as the substantive motion.

That the Council Tax precept be increased by 4.2%
For: Cllrs G Doughty & J Doughty
Against: Cllrs J Aitman, A Bailey, R Crouch, D Enright, G Meadows, D Newcombe, S Simpson & R Smith
Abstained: Cllrs T Ashby, D Edwards-Hughes, J Robertshaw & J Treloar.
The amendment was not carried.

That the Council Tax precept be increased by 2%
For: Cllrs T Ashby, D Edwards-Hughes, J Robertshaw & J Treloar
Against: J Aitman, A Bailey, R Crouch, J Doughty, D Enright, G Meadows, D Newcombe, S Simpson & R Smith
Abstained: Cllr G Doughty
The amendment was not carried.

That the Council Tax precept be increased by 4.91%
For: Cllrs J Aitman, A Bailey, R Crouch, D Enright, G Meadows, D Newcombe, S Simpson & R Smith
Against  ...  view the full minutes text for item 67.

To receive the draft minutes of the Extra Ordinary Council Meeting held on 5 January 2026 for information only.

Members received the minutes of the Extra Ordinary Council meeting held on 5 January 2026 for information.

Resolved:

That, the minutes of the meeting held on 5 January be noted.

A Member of the Public joined the meeting at 6:58pm

To receive and consider the report of the RFO and if appropriate, declare the precept for 2026/27.

The Council received and considered the report of the Responsible Financial Officer (R.F.O).

Following approval of the budgets in the previous item, the formality of declaring the precept for 2026/27 was agreed. It was agreed that votes should be recorded.

That, the precept for 2026/27 be agreed as £2,427,251.

For: Cllrs J Aitman, A Bailey, R Crouch, D Enright, G Meadows, D Newcombe, S Simpson & R Smith

Against: Cllrs T Ashby, G Doughty, D Edwards-Hughes, J Robertshaw & J Treloar

Abstained: Cllr J Doughty

That, the Town Clerk be authorised to sign and serve a precept on the West Oxfordshire District Council.

For: Cllrs J Aitman, A Bailey, R Crouch, D Enright, G Meadows, D Newcombe, S Simpson & R Smith

Against: Cllrs T Ashby, G Doughty, D Edwards-Hughes, J Robertshaw & J Treloar

Abstained: Cllr J Doughty

Resolved:

1.      That, the report be noted,

2.      That, the precept for 2026/27 be agreed as £2,427,251

3.      That, the Town Clerk be authorised to sign and serve a precept on the West Oxfordshire District Council, in accordance with the appropriate provisions of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended), requiring the District Council to pay the Town Council the sum of £2,427,251 in respect of Council Tax for the town during the financial year 2026/27.